Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
This ice cream was more milky than creamy and a bit icy in texture. "Kind of too plain. Very forgettable," wrote a taster. "More of a smoothie texture, icy," wrote another. But a fan described this brand as "Clean, crisp. Creamy. Rich milk flavor." $4.99 for 14 ounces.
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
This house brand found at Jewel-Osco supermarkets had a very airy texture and a sweet flavor that tasters thought was light on vanilla. "Very bland, slightly icy," wrote one taster. "Smooth and velvety," wrote another. "Not particularly distinctive, but respectable." $2.50 for 1.5 quarts.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
There was an "intense vanilla flavor" to this Aldi brand, wrote one taster, while another likened it to "soft serve, in a good way. Straight-ahead vanilla and cream." Some thought it too sweet, however, overwhelming the vanilla note. A number of tasters commented on an icy texture. $4.19 for 48 ounces.
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
"Smooth and creamy, coats mouth and spoon rich -- one I'd consider eating if I wanted rich vanilla on its own," wrote one fan. Another thought "full fat cream was used" and called it "sweet, milky." But a third complained of "no vanilla flavor, per se," and a fourth thought the flavor profile was too "one-note." This ice cream tied with 365 Everyday Value Vanilla Ice Cream for sixth place in the tasting. $4.99 for 1.5 quarts.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
Those who liked this Whole Foods Market brand found it creamy and plush with what one taster described as "a distinguished vanilla backbone." Another taster thought it had an "almost savory aftertaste, not bad." But a third wrote: "Rather plain. Nothing stands out." "Ice water. Almost no flavor!" complained a fourth. Tied with Edy's for sixth place. $5.99 for 1.75 quarts.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
This snowy white ice cream was flecked with vanilla bean. Perhaps that's why one taster wrote that it has "a lighter, peppier flavor. Slightly spiced?" Another taster complained of an off-flavor, "an odd vegetal sweetness." A third thought it had a "nice vanilla flavor" that "carries through to end." $3.99 for 16 ounces.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
Very white and flecked with vanilla bean, this ice cream was praised for its mouth-filling creaminess and clean flavor. "Just a kiss of sugar with pronounced creaminess," wrote one taster. A second thought this a "good" ice cream but thought the vanilla wasn't prominent. A third taster faulted the grainy texture of this brand, saying it was the "first one where I felt vanilla flecks in my mouth." Tied for third place with Kemp's. $4.99 for 1.5 quarts.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
"Looks like custard," one taster wrote. "Thick, coats my mouth." A second taster described it as "very creamy, rich, French vanilla style." A third wrote: "Cream and almost whipped texture, very light on the vanilla, but the creamy flavors were a delight." But two dissenters weren't sold. "Overfluffed, gummy! Yuck! Could not imagine eating more than one scoop," wrote one, while another wrote: "Tastes artificial to me." (Artificial flavor added, according to the label.) This ice cream tied for third place with Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice cream. $4.99 for 1.5 quarts.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best?
This ice cream, whose pearly white hue was likened to a wedding dress by one taster, was rich, creamy and sweet with a smooth vanilla finish that wasn't overpowering. "Very close to perfection," one taster wrote. "Finally, some real flavor," wrote another. But a third taster wasn't impressed: "Meh." $5.49 for 48 ounces.Â
Vanilla ice cream: Which is best? The winner ...
The clear winner in this blind tasting, Ben & Jerry's far outpaced the rest of the pack with a rich, creamy mouth-filling flavor that bordered on decadent. "Winner!" one taster exclaimed. "This tastes like vanilla ice cream. Cold, smooth, with custard notes." A second taster found this ice cream, which was peppered with little bits of vanilla bean, to be "very elegant," with a "soft subtle presence." A third thought it had so much flavor this that it was a vanilla that could be enjoyed without any toppings. A fourth taster, however, was wary and suspected "fake" vanilla: "Seems too good to be true." (The Organic Consumers Association filed a lawsuit July 9 in the District of Columbia Superior Court on July 9 against Ben & Jerry's parent company, Unilever, alleging "deceptive labeling, marketing, and sale" of Ben & Jerry's ice cream products "as humanely sourced and environmentally responsible." Laura Peterson, a Ben & Jerry's spokesperson, wrote in an email that the company doesn't "comment on pending lawsuits, but I can say we are proud of the work we have done with Vermont's family farmers over the past 35 years. There is much work still to do, and we are committed to building a resilient, regenerative dairy supply.") $3.99 for 1 pint.Â
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